Preview: Cardinals at Jets

Major issues at quarterback, little semblance of a running game and a season once filled with lofty aspirations that has spiraled out of control. That pretty much tells the tale of both the Arizona Cardinals and New York Jets, who will meet Sunday at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium. Each team is coming off a lopsided home loss that dropped them to 4-7, although the Jets appear to have a better chance of making a playoff run due to a light schedule and a cluster of struggling teams in the AFC. The Cardinals have stumbled to seven consecutive losses following a 4-0 start but they do own a victory at New England, a team that has defeated the Jets twice, including a 49-19 beating on Thanksgiving night.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Jets -4.5, O/U 36.5

ABOUT THE CARDINALS (4-7): An injury to Kevin Kolb and ineffective play by backup John Skelton has forced Arizona to turn to third-stringer Ryan Lindley, and the results were predictably ugly in the rookie's first start last week. Lindley was intercepted four times, two of which were brought back for touchdowns in a 31-17 loss to St. Louis. Lindley threw for 312 yards but Arizona could not score after taking a 17-14 lead into halftime. One positive was the return of brittle running back Beanie Wells, who rushed for a pair of touchdowns after missing seven games because of turf toe. The Cardinals have not scored 20 points since Week 4 and are averaging a paltry 12.7 points during the seven-game skid.

ABOUT THE JETS (4-7): Barring a dramatic turnaround, the signature moment of New York's season came when much-maligned quarterback Mark Sanchez fell face-first into the backside of an offensive lineman, leading to a fumble-return score that was part of three touchdowns in 52 seconds for the Patriots in last week's embarrassing loss. The Jets have been unable to post back-to-back victories but likely will have to win out to have a shot at the postseason. As far-fetched at it appears, none of New York's remaining five opponents owns more than four wins. Sanchez had four TD passes vs. four interceptions in the last five games while RB Shonn Green is averaging under 65 yards rushing during the same span.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Jets have won the last five meetings, including a 56-35 home rout in September 2008.

2. Arizona has not lost eight straight games since the 2006 season.

3. New York has lost 10 of its last 14 dating to a three-game losing streak to end last season.